by Kala Loptien

Good Works

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For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Matthew 25:35-36 English Standard Version

The Final Judgment. The Son of Man Will Judge the Nations. The Sheep and the Goats. No matter the translation, the warning and the command are clear. Jesus is straightforward about the separation of the people. The King addresses the sheep on His right, inviting them into the Kingdom prepared for them. He then explains that they cared for him when he was hungry, thirsty, sick, in need of shelter/clothes and imprisoned. The question is asked: “Lord, when did we see you?” This is the part that always convicts my self-serving heart. Jesus replies:

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matt 25:40 New International Version

On the left, the goats. The goats took the opposite approach – failing to serve and sacrifice for others; therefore failing to serve the Lord. They ask a similar, yet totally different question: “Lord, when did we see you…and not help you?” We know how this interaction ends.

It doesn’t get any more direct than this. We were created to serve God and take care of those in need — sharing the Gospel message and bringing glory to God in doing so. This isn’t a box to check in order to earn more salvation points. It is by grace we have been saved, through faith. It isn’t our doing, as Paul explains, so no one can boast. Rather, God prepared these things in advance for us… and we were created to do them. Let’s read that straight from His Word.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8 New International Version

Pray. Read. Watch. Listen. He will show you.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado